Can Endometriosis Cause Fever? Your Guide to Endo Symptoms and How to Find Relief
Endometriosis can wreak havoc on your body, from gastrointestinal issues to debilitating pain.
But for many women, endometriosis goes unnoticed because they have no overt symptoms.
Hundreds of women are looking for answers to their questions regarding endometriosis, and many continue to go unanswered.
You’ve been doing some research and now you’re curious, “Can endometriosis cause fever?”
In this guide, I’ll be discussing what endometriosis is, if fever is a common symptom, and how to naturally overcome endometriosis symptoms.
Table of Contents
- What is Endometriosis?
- Can Endometriosis Cause Low-Grade Fever? It Could Be A Tertiary Symptom
- Can Endometriosis Cause Fever During Period?
- When to Talk To Your Doctor About Your Endometriosis Concerns
- Overcome Endometriosis Symptoms Naturally
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disorder that occurs when the endometrium — the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus — grows outside of your uterus. This can lead to inflammation and scarring of surrounding tissues.
Many women are unaware they may have endometriosis as some of the symptoms are masked as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
Or
They are embarrassed to talk with their doctor about the symptoms affecting their day-to-day lives — but the reality is that endometriosis affects 2 to 10 percent of women between the ages of 25 to 40.
What are the tell-tell signs that you may have endometriosis? Symptoms include:
- Painful periods
- Painful urination and/or bowel movements
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Infertility
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Etc.
Symptoms vary from woman to woman, but you’re here to find out, “Can endometriosis cause fever?” Keep reading to learn more.
Can Endometriosis Cause Low-Grade Fever?
Endometriosis likely isn’t the cause of your fever.
If endometriosis and low-grade fevers aren’t related, what’s the cause?
Don’t push your concerns to the wayside. It is possible that other infections and inflammatory diseases whose symptoms mimic those of endometriosis or are common complications caused by endo may be to blame for your fever.
Infections
It is possible that although endometriosis may not be causing your fever, that there are other underlying causes that have similar symptoms.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis, for example, has some of the same symptoms as endo. Sufferers usually experience...
- Lower abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal issues
…with both conditions. Unlike endometriosis, fever, and increased white blood cell count typically accompany appendicitis.
Urinary Tract Infections
Endometriosis and urinary tract infections have similar symptoms, like…
- Painful urination
- Uncomfortable/painful sex, or
- Pelvic pain
… making it easy to misdiagnose, especially if you haven’t seen a doctor.
If you begin to experience a fever or chills and are concerned you may have a UTI, contact your doctor as soon as possible, as a UTI left untreated can lead to kidney infections.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection in your uterus, fallopian tubes, and possibly your ovaries. PID occurs when bacteria from a woman’s vagina and cervix move to other parts of the body.
PID symptoms include:
- Heavy, painful periods
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Vaginal discharge
- Painful sex; and
- Other symptoms mimicking those of endometriosis
Fever, chills, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge are some key differences between PID and endo.
Distinguishing whether you have PID or endometriosis can be done through exams with your physician, who will likely recommend having ultrasounds done and urine and blood samples taken.
Cysts
A percentage of women with endometriosis, many of whom have been diagnosed with stages III-IV endometriosis, experience the growth of endometrial tissue in other places like your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other areas of the pelvic cavity. When this occurs, endometrioid cysts can appear.
When endometrioid cysts rupture, there is a small chance that they may cause infection in the body. If you experience fever, dizziness, and nausea, or vomiting contact your doctor immediately.
Can Endometriosis Cause Fever During Periods?
Although some studies have found that a basal temperature higher than 97.8°F during the first three days of your period can be associated with endometriosis, fever isn’t caused by the disorder.
When to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Endometriosis Concerns
If you think you have endometriosis, or have been misdiagnosed, and have the following symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor. Shame, embarrassment, or simply the unknowns about endometriosis, or any other related issues, should never stop you from living your best life.
Talk to Your Physician if You Are Experiencing Typical Endometriosis Symptoms
Tell-tell endometriosis symptoms include:
- Painful periods
- Painful urination and/or bowel movements
- Frequent yeast infections
- Infertility
- Heavy or irregular periods; and
- Gastrointestinal problems
Infertility
Infertility is one of the most common reasons women discover that they have endometriosis. And although endo does not technically cause infertility, endometriosis is found in up to 50 percent of women’s infertility cases.
Painful Periods
Period cramps that cause severe, even debilitating, pain, and discomfort is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis.
For many with endometriosis, if left untreated, menstrual pain continues to get worse over time.
Pain During Sex
Dyspareunia, the medical term for pain during sex, frequently occurs in women who have endometriosis. The cause?
It varies.
It may occur because penetration and other movements during sex can actually stretch and pull endometrial tissues.
Another reason for endometriosis suffers experience pain during sex is vaginal dryness.
Frequent Yeast Infections
Chronic yeast infections occur in women with severely compromised immune systems — which is a common effect that endometriosis has on women.
Whether it’s a vaginal yeast infection or candida in other places of your body, your endometriosis may be to blame.
Experiencing frequent yeast infections or vaginal dryness due to endometriosis? I can relate.
Did you know your sex lube could be to blame? Most lubes are full of toxic ingredients that throw off the Ph level of your vagina. Instead of causing more harm, consider an all-natural lubricant.
I formulated Chiavaye as a way to overcome vaginal dryness, reduce painful sex related to endometriosis, and get back to enjoying time with my partner.
Overcome Endometriosis Symptoms Naturally
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, it may feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
But I am living proof that endometriosis can be treated naturally.
Healthy habits, like regularly exercising, and diet changes can decrease the pain and discomfort associated with the disease.
Exercise
Exercising for as little as twenty to thirty minutes a day can have anti-inflammatory effects.
Living with the constant pain associated with endometriosis can be stressful. Not only does exercise reduce the pain, but it helps your blood circulation and the release of endorphins, the “feel-good” hormone.
Diet
I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself when I say that an anti-inflammatory diet was a game-changer in my fight against endometriosis.
Not only does eating foods like…
- Fatty fish
- Healthy fats
- Vegetables — specifically leafy greens; and
- Fruits
…help decrease inflammation in your entire body, but it also reduces the risk of infection.
What else can you change in your diet to combat endometriosis and infections?
Decrease your sugar intake — sugar actually blocks the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in your body. When inflammation occurs in other areas of your body, it can actually cause your endometriosis symptoms to flare, too.
Know You’re Not Alone
Although it’s not a cure for the disease, and it may not help your symptoms, having support can change your mindset regarding endometriosis.
Reach out to your community to see if there are support groups, online communities, etc. to help you learn more about endometriosis and feel comfortable talking openly about your struggles and successes while combating endometriosis.